Admissions

Admissions Committee

AGS’ Admissions Committee interviews prospective students, reviews applications and makes admissions decisions in accordance with published criteria. Membership: Director of Admissions, program staff and Academic Vice President or other faculty member as necessary.

Full Admission to the Master of Arts Degree Program

An applicant is considered for FULL ADMISSION to the Master of Arts degree program by meeting the following criteria:

A baccalaureate degree (BA/BS) from an accredited institution.

A cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

9 semester (12 quarter) credits in psychology or a related field.

A completed application file, which includes an interview.

Introduction

The Adler Graduate School offers a Master of Arts degree in Adlerian Counseling and Psychotherapy that can be customized within several separate tracks. AGS also offers Specialty Area programs that lead to certificates. Admission requirements for the Master’s degree and the certificate programs are detailed below.

Immunization Records

Minnesota Law (M.S. 135A.14) requires anyone attending college provide proof of immunizations. If you were born before 1956 or graduated from a Minnesota high school in 1997 or later, you are exempt from this rule. All others must provide proof of immunizations. Within 45 days of enrolling, a student is required by law to submit proof of immunization. Failure to do so will result in suspension of enrollment until documentation is provided. Those falling under the “Conscientious Exemption” rule must also complete and notarize the “Immunization Record for Students Attending Post-Secondary Schools in Minnesota” form. For additional information, please go to the Minnesota Department of Health website.
Students will not be allowed to begin classes without a completed Immunization Form.

Program-Specific Admissions Criteria:

In addition to the Adler Graduate School’s standard admission criteria, specific requirements are needed to enroll in the Art Therapy Program.

Art Therapy Program prerequisites:

All applicants are required to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the United States, or have the equivalent academic preparation from an institution outside of the United States.

Applicants must complete a minimum of 18 semester-hour credits (or 27 quarter-hour credits) in studio art, which must include drawing, painting and clay work.

Applicants must demonstrate proficiency and disciplined commitment in art making by presenting an art portfolio of their original work. Equivalency of non-academic studio art experience or art therapy-based course work may be taken into account on a limited basis.

Applicants must complete a minimum of 12 semester-hour credits (or 18 quarter-hour credits) of study in psychology, which must include developmental psychology and abnormal psychology. Course work in statistics is strongly suggested.

All prerequisite courses must be successfully completed outside of the graduate program no later than 12 months after entering the program.

In-person interview and art portfolio review of 15-20 images.

Conditional Admission to the Master of Arts Degree Program

An applicant who does not meet all of the requirements for full admission may be admitted CONDITIONALLY to the MA program. Students with a GPA between 3.0 and 2.7 and/or do not have 9 semester (12 quarter) psychology credits will be considered for conditional admission. Conditional status will also be considered for students with a GPA between 2.7 and 2.5, whose undergraduate major GPA was 3.0 or better.

Students admitted on conditional status must earn a GPA of 3.0 (“B” average) or higher in their first two courses at AGS. All courses must be completed in the time period required by the instructor. Upon completion, the student’s file will be reviewed by an Admissions Committee, at which time the applicant will be considered for full admission. In the event that the required GPA is not achieved in the first two courses, conditional acceptance denied.

Student-at-Large

Individuals who are uncertain about seeking admission to pursue an MA degree may take a maximum of 12 credits as students-at-large, as long as they meet AGS’ minimum requirements for admission. Persons interested in registering as students-at-large must complete the usual application process, including payment of a nonrefundable application fee prior to registering for courses. Applicants who later seek admission to a degree or certificate program will not be required to pay an additional fee for the regular application. Students-at-large are not eligible for federal financial aid.

Students-at-large must meet all course prerequisites and other requirements for courses taken. Courses taken for credit usually will apply toward completion of program requirements for students-at-large who are granted full admission at a later date. However, successful completion of student-at-large course work does not guarantee admission to an academic program. Applicants who have been denied admission will not be permitted to enroll or continue as students-at-large. Students-at-large are not eligible to receive federal financial aid but may apply for alternative loans. Finally, students-at-large may not take more than one course in any of AGS’ certificate programs.

Information for International Online Students:

Language of Instruction and Language Proficiency:

The Adler Graduate School’s language of instruction is English. Therefore, students are expected to speak, read, write, and understand the English language fluently or at a level sufficient for graduate-level education.

Transcript Evaluation

If a student’s previous degree was earned outside of the US, his or her international transcripts must be evaluated and reviewed for eligibility as part of the admissions process. The evaluation is not a guarantee of admission. The evaluation fee is a separate fee and is not a part of one’s application fee. The evaluation must be sent directly to Adler Graduate School along with an official copy of the transcript. Applicants must ask his or her school to mail the official copy to AGS.

Visas

Because of its online, non-residential nature, the AGS Online Program cannot honor a request for a visa. Adler Graduate School does not offer visas for the residential weekend, work permits, or other types of visas. Obtaining necessary permits to enter the United States is the student’s responsibility.